Metal weather strip



p 1929- G. F. W OLFF METAL WEATHER STRIP Filed Dec. 26, 192 5 Even T161"; V

Patented Sept. '17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENTIOFFIC/E GEORGE F. WOLFE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, -ASSIGNOR TO SAGER METAL WEATHER- STRIP CO.,O F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I METAL WEATHER STRIP Application filed December 26, 1925. Serial No. 77,701.

My invention relates to metal weather stripping. I

One of the objects of my invention resides in providing a simpleconstruction of weather stripping which can be cut to desired length and applied merely by tacking it in place.

Another object of my invention resides in providing a stripping which is cheap to manufacture, easy to apply, and combines rigidity and wearing qualities with maximum effectiveness in providing the necessary seal between the relatively movable parts, such as the bottom of the door and the threshold.

' A further object of my invention resides in providing a novel construction of sheet metal stripping having hemmed edges and wherein the sealing portion of the stripping interme diate these edges is free from the objectionable undulated or wavy portions generally caused by the edge hemming operation.

Yet another object of my invention resides in providing a novel construction of sheet metal stripping adapted in particular for installation. on the bottom of a swinging door, comprising an integral strip having an attaching flange and a defiectablesealing flange, substantially bow or rocker shaped in cross section with its outer edge freely contacting the undersurface of the door and the bowed surface of the deflectable flange contacting the surface of the threshold. Still another object of my invention resides in providing a metalstrip of the above described character with one or more longitudinal scores whereby to provide a high contacting surface extending longitudinally of the stripping so as to make firm, yet yieldable contact with the threshold when the door is closed. y

A further object of my invention resides in providing a construction wherein the free edge of the strip is curved upwardly into contact with the bottom of the door whereby to clear the floor on either side of the threshold and wherein the intermediate portion of the attached strip is substantially bowed, whereby it is caused resiliently to press against the threshold when the door closes.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better especially of the type illustrated in Figure 1 understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accom panying drawings, discloses a preferred einbodiment thereof. i p

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a door partly in section with my improved Weatherstrip attached, v FigureQ is an end view of the strip itself,

Figure 3 isplan view of the strip.

Vhile it inustbe evident that my improved strip is capable of installation on various moving parts to seal the space therebetwee'n, it is particularly adaptable as a weather stripping for the bottom of a swinging door and ofthe drawings which illustratesa door that swings in one directiorubeing limited in the opposite direction by the usual doorframe.

In details of construction, my improved strip is made of suitable substantially flat resilient metal, for instancesheet-bronze, cut into relatively long strips. As shown in Fig ure 2, such a strip is bent approximately at the point 2 to provide a flat, straight side or flange?) adapted for attaching the strip to the side of the bottom'of the door' l, somewhat as illustrated in Figure 1. This may be'done by tacking it in place. It will be noticed that the edge 5 of thisstrip is hemmed as at 6 to 1 conceal raw edges and provide durability. Continuing from the point of bend 2, the strip extends substantially at right angles as at 7 and thence curves gradually upwardly, somewhat in the form of a bow or rocker 8 with the free end 9 hemmed to conceal the raw'edge and provide durability and smoothness at the edge for a purpose hereinafter made evident. In cross section, the portions 7 and 8 of the strip are rather cradle shape in cross section. This forms a most useful function.

When the strip is tacked in position and the door f is open, theportions and .8 of the strip which form a. freely deflectable, resilient, flange assume more of the shape di closed in Figurefl of the drawings, the edge .9 9 of the strip lying snugly against the undersurface of the door so as not to catch or scrape along the floor or carpet. i When the door is swung to closed position, the deflectable flange portion? and 8 is someand also that buckles formed in the metal during the hemming of the edges, and in addition to lend rigidity and strength to the strip; this latter feature is most advantageous when it is considered that the strip is made of rather resilient sheet metal and of such convenient thickness that it may easily be cut to length it may possess inherent resiliency and lightness. v

To accomplish these objects, the strip is provided with one or more longitudinally arranged scores, tracks or lines depressed into the metal as at 10 so as to provide on each side thereof raised or high portions of the strip which form continuous sealing surfaces lengthwise of the strip. This wrinkling of the metal formed during the beading operation or formed by the bend 2 is brought about due to the fact that when the bend or beads are f0 mod the metal is stretched at the point by reason of the pressing rolls or by reason of the bending operation, and since the metal is not stretched at inteunediate points the wrinkles are formed. My process for. eliminating these objections of wrinkles resides in suitably deforming this intermediate metal, and oneof the ways of deforming it resides in forming the score lines longitudinally oftae metal. Gbviously, any ot ier method of deforming the metal is within the contemplation of my invention.

In addition, these scores 10 function to eliminate the waves or wrinkles which have heretofore been permanently formed on the strip by the preceding hennning operation, and which are highly objectionable since they prevent a snug lit at every point on the undersurface of the strip. 'l urthermore, these tracks 10 lend considerable rigidity to the strip and brace it lengthwise against bending. This is important because in handling, the strip is liable to bend and create weak spots and splits.

It mustjbe evident that by my construction a most advantageous strip is provided; one that forms a metal cushion against which the door will close, which is easily installed, and which willnot catch or scratch against the floor or carpet when the door is swung to open position.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A weather stripping comprising a length of substantially flat sheet-metal bent to form a substantially bowed portion and an angularly disposed integral attaching flange of substantially flat cross section, the free edges of the strip being hemmed, said strip being provided with reinforcing ribs extending longitudinally of the strip.

2. A weather stripping comprising a length of substantially fiat, sheet-metal bent to form a substantially bowed portion and an angularly disposed integral attaching flange ofsubstantially flat cross section, the intermediate portions of the strip being provided with a desired number of scores to eliminate wrinkl s and to strengthen the strip.

3. The 00; bination of a door bottom and threshold therebeneath, a weather stripping having a vertically extending part secured to a vertical face of the door near the bottom surface thereof, and a part extending down and curved up into engagement with the bottom face of said door and arranged with its edge normally in contact therewith, said edge being freely slidable with the bottom face of the door,the weather strip on said edge and the bottom part of said door being curved downwardly with the threshold whereby upper pressure of the threshold against said part causes the edge of the weather stripping engaging the bottom of the door to slide outwardly to contact therewith.

l. The combination of a door bottom and threshold therebeneath, a weather stripping having a vertically extending part secured to a vertical face of t 1e door near the bottom surface thereof. and part extending down and curved up into engagement with the bottom face of said door and arranged with is edge normally in contact therewith. said edge being freely slidable with the bottom face of the door, the weather strip on said edge and the bottom part of said door being curved downwardly with the threshold whereby upper pressure of the threshold against said part causes the edge of the weather stripping engaging the bottom of the door to slide outwardly to contact therewith, said edge being hemmed to reduce frictional contact between the door bottom and said weather strip.

GEORGE F. VOLFF. 

